Snow Reporter's Blog

04/21/2012 | By Leslie
Sierra's Crew LOVES to Shred Just as Much as You!!

Disneyland might be known as the “happiest place on Earth” to visit, but in my opinion, Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort is absolutely the happiest place on Earth to work & ski/ride! You know we like to keep it real, so you will find that to be true with every visit to Sierra! This mountain is operated by people who love to ski and snowboard right here at Sierra, and you can always catch our crew carving up the slopes! In fact, one of the best perks of working at Sierra is catching first chair each morning.

From Snowboard Rentals to Human Resources, to Events and Park Crew, you’ll even see our General Manager, John Rice, catching a few turns on his snowboard quite often! Everyone that works here has a passion for this mountain and that’s truly what makes the atmosphere so great and it's a big part of why we are the locals choice resort!

Buggy & Jimmy from Snowboard Rentals soakin’ up the sun with a few Grandview Laps

Brian Crane catching a powder day ride break after handing out paychecks in Human Resources

Race Department's Christina Griffith hosting a photo shoot for Gatorade’s next ad

Ski School’s finest: Matt, Sandy, & Mark “Hoffmeister”

Taking a break from selling you gear at Sierra Mtn. Sports to shred down Lower Main

Katie Hunter, Sierra’s Events & Promotions Manager, quenching her thirst

Jordan Nield “working” hard – Classic Park Crew

As your trusty Snow Reporter, I know the importance of “quality control” so I ride every day!

As my final blog of this season, I’d like to thank all of you for tuning in to my awesome adventures and I want to give a big shout out to everyone in my Sierra Family! Thank you for making my first season as a Snow Reporter absolutely spectacular! I look forward to another amazing season next year!

Until then….stay stoked!

04/20/2012 | By Leslie
Spotted At Sierra

As the season winds down and the temperatures start to get warmer, our guests’ quirkiness starts to shine a little brighter! Yesterday I took my usual ride break around 9am to discover just how silly people were starting to get out on the hill! In keeping up with my snow reporting duties, I was snapping photos all around the resort when I noticed a few guests that really stood out…

Spotted at Sierra….the Cookie Monster and his friend Mr. Hot Dog were enjoying a fabulous day of spring riding at Sierra Resort!

As many of you know, this is our final weekend for the 2011-12 season and I hope to see even more outrageous costumes out on the hill! Especially on our final day of the season, Customer Appreciation Day on Monday April 23rd! This celebratory day has become widely known by the locals as “Pirate Day” so you can expect a day of $20 lift tickets, sunshine, and plenty of pirates all around the resort!

Get your crazy costumes ready, and keep your eyes peeled for your trusty snow reporter on the slopes and you could be the star of my next blog!!

04/19/2012 | By Leslie
Sierra's Magicians AKA Park Crew

Sierra Resort and its signature terrain parks have continuously been rated in the top ten by TransWorld SNOWboarding! The 2012-13 TransWorld SNOWboarding Resort Poll is live; take a quick survey and get entered to win a brand new snowboard! It's quick, it's easy, and is a chance to share the love you have for Sierra and its hard working Park Crew!

As we prepare to say sayonara to another season at Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, I’d like to stop and reflect on the crazy awesome year that we’ve had!

We received 326 inches of snow this season, 40% less than our average annual snowfall…and 40% of all that snow came in the last month!! This was definitely a year filled with many challenges for resorts all across the globe. However, Sierra rose to the occasion and I’m proud to be a part of a team that truly delivered and did the very best we could with what we had.

In a season with no December snowfall to speak of, our Park Crew still delivered a killer terrain park on Broadway from day one! Who would have ever guessed that this terrain park would become the main venue on the mountain?! We pulled off numerous unforgettable events on Broadway terrain park including: Volcom PB & Rail Jam,  Gatorade Free Flow Tour, Snowboarder Mag’s Superpass, Vans & Pro Tec High Standard, and the 6th Annual Buckle Up Big Air! Whew! Broadway was also the venue for many USASA competitions, which were both planned in advance and pulled off last minute when other mountains were unable to host the events.

Volcom PB & Rail Jam - January 7th, 2012

Gatorade Free Flow Tour - February 4th & 5th, 2012 - NV Images

Snowboarder Magazine Superpass - February 12, 2012 - Photo:Kyle McCoy

Vans & Pro Tec High Standard - March 24, 2012

6th Annual Buckle Up Big Air - April 14th - Photo: Shaunte Dittmar Photography

Sierra was the FIRST Tahoe Resort committed to terrain parks, so it’s always very important to us that we deliver the goods for all our loyal fans! The Park Crew at Sierra is dedicated to delivering park features that are consistent, high quality, and progressive. From small tables to large booters, on-the-ground boxes to urban stair sets - Sierra's Park Crew builds and maintains each feature with a love for the sport and a commitment to providing annually ranked park features.

Park Crew Puttin' In Work

After Mother Nature delivered 3 feet of snow in January, Park Crew worked their magic to debut the boardercross course on Upper Snowshoe and the terrain park on Upper Main by February 8th. The intermediate park on Upper Main quickly became a fan favorite and was the venue for the 5th Annual Ralston Cup Snowskate event and GNU’s Grom Games!

GNU's Grom Games - March 17, 2012

One month later, winter was finally in full effect and Park Crew revealed our signature terrain park on Upper Bashful! The stoke level in West Bowl was immediately raised up a few notches and everyone was loving all the large features!

Opening Day of Bashful Terrain Park - Sierra Rider Danny Rein Photo: MezWorks2012

As if the large jumps and rails placed on Upper Bashful wasn’t enough to get us all pumped, Park Crew added a few sick rail features and the signature Sierra stair set to Lower Bashful at the end of March. This addition was a huge hit, especially with the Billabong girls as they all threw down for the Billabong Flaunt It Finals on April 1st on Upper & Lower Bashful!

By mid-March Park Crew was maintaining 5 killer terrain parks with a large variety of features across the mountain for your jumping and jibbing pleasure!

Not to mention, this year we built a terrain park for all of our younglings and padawans to play in as well! Thanks to a collaboration between Sierra-at-Tahoe, Burton Snowboards, and LucasFilm, Yoda’s Riglet Park has introduced tons of little groms into the world of snowboarding, using the ways of the force! If you haven’t already checked it out, make sure you stop by before the season ends. It is out of this world!

The Park Crew worked some serious magic for our number one girl, Jamie Anderson for her spring photo shoot on Bashful. Here's a little sneak peak of the action going down right now...

It amazes me that in a year with unusually low snowfall, our Park Crew was still able to deliver amazing features, smooth landings, and pristine jumps! Major props to every single member of the Park Crew...thank you for keeping our terrain park standards high and giving us another killer season!!

04/13/2012 | By Leslie
Wrapping Up Sierra's Spring Fiesta

It’s not over ‘til the fat lady sings....this storm has already brought in 42” of snow at Sierra and we are loving it! Conditions are spectacular, and they just keep getting better as we get ready to wrap up Sierra’s Spring Fiesta with another early load for season pass holders, a few killer signature events, and tons of fresh POW to play in!

Pass Holder Perk Alert

Set your alarms and plan on getting up here early, because once again we’re hooking up all Sierra Season Pass holders with early access to all the untouched goods. West Bowl Express and Easy Rider will spin at 8am Saturday morning EXCLUSIVELY for season pass holders, so grab your snorkel and get ready to dive into plenty of untouched powder!

6th Annual Buckle Up Big Air

On Saturday, April 14th the 6th Annual Buckle Up Big Air slopestyle event goes down on Broadway. This event is very near and dear to our hearts at Sierra, as it’s held each year in loving memory of Sierra team rider Greg Smith, to spread seat belt safety awareness to ours and your local youth with a fun day of snow culture.  

An $1,800 cash purse is up for grabs for open divisions with prizes and swag for amateur divisions. Registration will be in the Aspen Cafe at 7:15 am with practice at starting at 8:30 am and the competition/rider's meeting is at 10:30! All competitors will need to have a season pass or lift ticket. Discount competitor tickets will be available for $35, spectator tickets for $53. Join us for this signature event as we say sayonara to the season!

5th Annual Salsa Showdown

Lined up for Sunday, we have the 5th Annual Salsa showdown, hosted by your trusty snow reporter at the Baja Grill in West Bowl! Pull out your famous salsa recipe to compete for a chance to win a 2012-13 Sierra Season Pass. To compete in the Salsa Contest, bring 2 cups of your home made salsa to West Bowl by 10:00 am to be entered into the Showdown!

A brand new PBR Snowboard will be given away along with some other sweet prizes and swag! Enjoy live mariachi music, taco eating contests, and pinata bashing while kicking back in the sunshine at the baja grill to see who is crowned Salsa King, or Queen!

3rd Annual Sippin at Sierra

While you’re up here on Sunday, join us on the roof top deck of the Aspen Cafe at 1pm to get your fill of frothy ales and fine wines at Sierra Resort's 3rd annual Sippin' at Sierra Beer and Wine Festival. Enjoy wine, seasonal brews & food tastings from a variety of fine wineries and eateries while enjoying the musical stylings of local Jazz bands.

It’s only $15 to take part in this sweet event, and of course you must be atleast 21 years old!

This weekend is going to be one to remember, and trust me.....you do not want to miss out on all the fun! Cruise on over to Sierraattahoe.com and check out our events calendar to get more information and I’ll see you on the slopes this weekend!

04/10/2012 | By Leslie
Sierra Extends the 2011-12 Season!!!

Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort currently has a base depth of 42-90" and a season total of 276". Miracle March is to thank for over 10 feet of this season's snow, and so far April has brought us another 22”. There's no doubt about it, skiing and riding conditions are absolutely spectacular!!

Thanks to Mother Nature’s late season generosity, Sierra will be extending the 2011-12 season and will remain open with full operations everyday through Sunday, April 22 for your spring-time enjoyment!That means there is still plenty of time left to cruise up here and experience the good life that is spring at Sierra!

Don't miss out on Customer Appreciation Day on Monday, April 23, when we will be open w/ limited operations, and all ticket proceeds will benefit the community.

 

 

Another snow storm is on the horizon and forecasters are calling for a few more feet of fresh POW by this weekend! Check out our Weather Blog and make plans to join us for the late-season fun! Remember, if you buy a 2012-13 Keepin' It Real Season Pass, you can use it to ski/ride the rest of this season too.

Stay tuned, as your trusty snow reporter will be keepin’ all of you updated daily on snow totals, lift status, and mountain conditions throughout the rest of the season! See you on the mountain!

04/07/2012 | By Leslie
Sierra Season Pass Holder Perks

Having a Sierra-at-Tahoe Season Pass is like being a VIP member to one of the hottest local spots in town, and it’s definitely something to brag about! We love our season pass holders so much at Sierra that we are constantly hooking them up with sweet discounts and even early loads on select powder days.

Do you want to start reaping the benefits of being a season pass holder?! Great news! You can snag a 2012-13 KEEPIN’ IT REAL SEASON PASS for a sweet deal! For just $249 for adults, you can set yourself up with UNRESTRICTED access to the mountain seven days a week, all season long, with absolutely no restrictions the entire season. BEST OF ALL – you can ski/ride the rest of this season FREE with your purchase and start enjoying all the perks that come along with being a Sierra season pass holder. Don't miss out, this amazing deal ends May 15th.

Keepin' It Real Means:

  • Sierra-at-Tahoe is managed by people who love to live and ski locally.
    No missing out! Your Keepin' It Real pass will never have a blackout day on a powder day!
  • We love our passholders and show it often by offering Early Loads on select powder days through the season.
  • Sierra's wind protected lifts and trails make Sierra-at-Tahoe your best bet on stormy days.
  • Our hard-working crews know every minute on the hill counts and makes it their mission to open on time.
  • Our passholders get hooked up with 20% discounts on food, new gear and rentals with My Sierra Rewards!
  • Sierra Resort is the closest major resort to Northern California (ensuring you less driving and more skiing/riding).
  • Sierra's blessed with natural snow from heaven, not hoses.
  • A family of four can ski and ride for the same price as ONE unrestricted pass at other resorts.

Grab your pass today and you can enjoy the good life that is Spring at Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort! To make this deal even better – we will be open with FULL OPERATIONS through Sunday April 22!

04/03/2012 | By Leslie
A Glimpse Into The Background

So you spent all day carving up the mountain at Sierra with your friends and you all had such an awesome time that you’re planning to come back again the very next day! When you arrive the next day with your posse in tow, you are greeted by the smiling faces of the Sierra staff (pretty typical) and of course, miles of FRESH corduroy. Sounds like the start to another perfect day, right?! But how did this happen so quickly?

Many of us take those seamless cords for granted, as it seems like they magically reappeared just in time for you to carve up the slopes again. If you had a strong belief in the corduroy fairy, brace yourself because I’m here to inform you that she does not actually exist. The mountain continues to look fresh every day thanks to our talented grooming crew, who works hard all through the night!

As your trusty snow reporter, I went behind the scenes on a Snow Cat tour so I could bring you the inside scoop of the not-so-glamorous world of grooming and snow-making – AKA the backbone of our resort! Just before 6am, I was swooped up by one of our grooming machines to begin the ride of a lifetime.

I was excited to discover that I would travel this sweet journey in one of the industry’s most impressive snow-moving machines – The Beast. This aptly named, high-tech Snow cat is built to be the very best at moving snow and laying down fresh corduroy! Sierra has two Beasts in its grooming fleet of 11 snow cats. Each Beast has a 500 horsepower engine allowing them to cover 9.5 acres of ground per hour. Talk about power!

Coolest part about this fleet is how green it actually is – all of the cats run off biodiesel that we make from used vegetable oil straight from our kitchens! The more sweet potato fries and hot wings you eat for lunch, the more cat food our fleet will have – so be sure to do your part in between Grandview laps!

As I climbed up into the Beast, I immediately gained a HUGE appreciation for the pure skill and talent that it takes to operate these massive machines. We started the tour by heading up Sugar and Spice, and even though I feel like I could navigate across this mountain with my eyes closed – I felt a little disoriented heading up the trail instead of carving down it. My tour guide, Clancy, informed me that carving down the mountain on skis or a snowboard pushes snow downward, so they generally start the grooming process by going up the mountain to push all the snow back up.

I know you love the steeps at Sierra including Castle, Clipper, Lower Main, and Upper Powderhorn as much as I do, and to keep those trails lookin’ pristine groomers using a special technique called wenching. Basically, that means one end of a cable is secured to a tree while the other end is attached to the snow cat.

As I watched one of the groomers make his way down Lower Main with a Wench, I was both scared for the man in the cat and excited to be watching something so amazing! Talk about a high level of skill and bravery – Major props!! The cable connected to the tree is the only thing preventing the cat from plummeting straight down Lower Main – oh man what a wild ride that would be!

Around 6:30 am, the Beast climbed up the steep slope of Hemlock just like it was no big deal. This monstrous machine took us to the summit just in time for a beautiful rosy red sunrise over Lake Tahoe.

On a clear night, you can see the lights all the way down in El Dorado Hills to the West, the lights of Lake Tahoe to the east, and occasionally the crew even catches a glimpse of the Kirkwood groomers’ headlights. When the Kirkwood grooming fleet is spotted, a fun game of flash light tag will usually follow! It’s awesome to know that they are having a blast while keeping the mountain fresh for the rest of us to have a good time!

Don’t make the mistake of assuming it’s only the hard work of the groomers that keep the mountain looking fresh. The groomers wouldn’t be able to do their job without the hard work of the mechanics who keep all the machines up and running properly. Our snow making crew is also a large part in keeping the mountain fresh and maintained, especially with this season’s less-than-average snowfall.

Next time you’re carving up the mountain at Sierra, I hope you appreciate and admire all the hard work and countless hours every person on our team puts in to ensure your experience at Sierra is nothing less than SPECTACULAR!!

04/01/2012 | By Leslie
April Fools POW POW!!

The joke is on you if you missed out on the 18” of light n' fluffy deliciousness today! April Fools Day conditions were absolutely amazing, no joke!

We kicked off the day by hooking up all of our season pass holders with early access to all the untouched goods. Since I take my job as a snow reporter very seriously, you know I was in line by 7:50 with all the stoked out pass holders!

The snow was so amazing that I actually reported all the snow conditions on Lake Tahoe TV today straight from the mountain, in between pow turns! These two little ones were especially excited to spend their morning in a foot and a half of fresh pow!

Throughout the day, you could hear loud screams of joy and laughter as my fellow powder hounds raced through the stealth powder stashes along 40 trails of unbeatable terrain! It’s no surprise to me when I hear these joyous screams….it’s likely to occur because their day is going a little something like this!

The terrain park crew had their work cut out for them this morning! The 18” of fresh pow buried the course set up on Bashful for the Billabong Flaunt It Finals (which was rescheduled for today). As the park crew began digging out from under all the snow, the sun came out of the clouds and set up the Billabong Girls with a perfect day to “Flaunt It!”

With such amazing pow to shred, it’s important to educate yourself on powder safety tips! I know the off piste skiing and riding is oh so tempting right now, so if you choose to go into the trees – just make sure to always ride with a buddy and keep them in your sights at ALL TIMES as you carve up the pow!

Buddy up, stay safe, and have a BLAST in 18” of fresh POW!!

03/30/2012 | By Leslie
Spotted At Sierra

Earlier this week, Sierra had the pleasure of hosting the world-famous “Roaming Gnome” from Travelocity!

I was lucky enough to be his host for the day, and I made sure he experienced all the amazing things Sierra has to offer! We started the tour at the coolest new park on the mountain, “Yoda’s Riglet Park!” While the Roaming Gnome was intimidated by the large storm troopers at first, he decided to help them watch over all the younglings and padawans as they learn to snowboard using the ways of the force!

Then, of course, he was greeted by Chewbacca with a loud, “Gnoooooooooooommmmmmeeee.” After these two shared a few tips on growing their large beards, it was time to show off our amazing mountain!

The Roaming Gnome cruised down Sugar & Spice like a pro on our way over to West Bowl. We had to stop for a photo opp as the Gnome pointed out the seamless corduroy that Sierra is so well known for!

We ran into some trouble while trying to go through the lift line at the bottom of West Bowl. It seems that it’s difficult to scan a lift ticket when it’s attached to your head. Thankfully, this nice chap figured it out!

The Roaming Gnome kept boasting about his park skills so I took him to our advanced signature terrain park on Bashful so he could throw down and prove himself. Once he saw the LARGE jumps in the park, he became a little bashful, but stomped it like a pro!

While you’re at Sierra – it’s vital to the experience that you check out the breath-taking views of the lake and surrounding mountains from the roof-top of the 360 smokehouse. The Roaming Gnome became a little frightened by the sight of the storm rolling in so we moved on to the après portion of the day!

The après scene might just be the Roaming Gnome’s favorite part of the day, but he may have enjoyed the perks of the Pub Club just a little too much!

Overall, the Travelocity Roaming Gnome had a smashing good time at Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort!! We look forward to his return!!

03/27/2012 | By Leslie
Sierra's Spring Fiesta is in Full Effect!

Sierra’s Spring Fiesta is in full effect, with every weekend jam-packed full of sweet activities and events! With so much going on all over the mountain this past weekend, I’m gonna break it all down to give you every juicy detail!

The weekend started off with a completely fresh terrain park on Bashful! Park crew worked their magic all week long to premier 12 brand new features including a couple LARGE jumps, just in time to practice your skills for the upcoming competitions!

Vans and Pro Tec Present Hi-Standard

A bunch of talented riders took part in the Vans and Pro Tec Hi-standard this Saturday, and I was stoked to spend part of my work day watching it all go down. This Double Big Air comp took place in our freshly rebuilt, signature terrain park on Broadway!

Each rider got 2 jumps and couldn't spin more than 540 on each jump. In a world chocked full of double and triple corks, it was refreshing to see a comp that truly focused on style and creativity!

Live Music from California Repercussions

At the base lodge this Saturday, everyone was enjoying the live music from California Repercussions AKA The Reapers! This 45-70 piece marching band is a melting pot of alumni from Northern California collegiate marching bands (UC Davis, UC Berkeley, and Standford).

The band brought in some killer energy to the base and inspired many guests to join in on the fun as they rocked the mountain with tunes including “American Idiot,” “Love Shack,” and “Original Prankster.”

Women’s Camp Presented by GNU Snowboards

This season’s final round of Women’s Camp went down on Sunday, and overall, the camp was a big hit!  12 ladies spent a super fun day on the mountain improving their skills with our top female instructors! This really is such a fantastic program and we’re stoked to keep it going next season!

Alright boys, I know what you are thinking….what about us?! Where is our Men’s camp? Well, instead of getting jealous, think of it this way – the more women we can help to improve their skiing/riding skills, the more beautiful snow bunnies you will see on the slopes! The way I see it, it’s totally a win, win!

Sierra’s Spring Fiesta Keeps Rollin’

Get stoked for an unforgettable up-coming weekend, as Sierra hosts the Billabong Flaunt It Finals! This TTR 4-Star event  will bring some of the most talented women in snowboarding to Sierra as they throw down their best tricks all day to "flaunt it!" Sierra’s own snowboarding superstar, Jamie Anderson will be in attendance as a guest MC as the ladies compete for a $10,000 cash purse and tons of other sweet prizes!

Photo Credit Kyle McCoy

We’re ready to enjoy the good life that is spring at Sierra-at-Tahoe, come join us – you’ll be stoked you did!

03/21/2012 | By Leslie
St. Powder's Day Weekend Recap

As the storms dumped multiple feet of snow on us last weekend, Sierra hosted a few unforgettable events to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day – AKA St. Powder’s Day! In case you missed out on all the fun – I’m here to bring you a recap of everything that went down!

We started Saturday off with some killer energy at the resort! Our snow removal crew had their work cut out for them with the 2+ feet of new snow that fell Friday night, but it was nothing they couldn’t handle!

I’m proud to report that not only did we open on time, when other resorts were unable to; we even pulled off the early load into West Bowl, as promised to Sierra Season Pass Holders!

Scout Day

Local Boy Scouts joined us for this unforgettable weekend to earn a Snowsports Merit Badge as they learned about on mountain safety straight from our ski patrol staff!  To earn this merit badge each scout had to demonstrate their skiing/riding abilities and knowledge of snowsport safety.

GNU Greenhorn Games

That same day, 16 little groms signed up for the coolest 13 & under snowboarding competition in the world – The GNU Greenhorn Games!

These little ones spent the day learning new tricks, making new friends, and having a super fun day in our signature terrain park on Upper Main! GNU hooked all these youngsters up with tons of free shwag and lunch which consisted of hot dogs, pickle dogs, and some brave kiddos went for it with the double dog!

College Shred Fest Presented by popchips

At the base of the mountain – College Shred Fest presented by popchips was in full swing with tons of exciting activities going down! Popchips hosted potato sack races at the bottom of Broadway, bringing a lot of great energy to the mountain!

Meanwhile, a party was going down in the Sierra Pub with St. Patty’s Day drink specials and a live DJ! Contests were hosted inside the Pub as the lucky winner of our Frozen T-shirt Contest scored a month supply of popchips! The big giveaway of the day was the 2012-13 Sierra Season Pass, but we definitely made contestants work for it! To win the Sierra Season Pass, contestants entered the Shred Fest Taco Eating Contest and stuffed down some super spicy tacos in record time! This contest was both really fun and really disgusting at the same time!

The contest came down to the wire and tension was high! In the end though, it seems the winner  of the 2012-13 Sierra Season Pass is either in shock or beyond stuffed!

If you missed out on all the fun, there’s no need to get bummed out! We’re gearing up for another weekend chocked full of sweet events as we continue Sierra’s Spring Fiesta! On Saturday, the California Repercussions is bringing you live music to groove to as you slide down Broadway!

Also this Saturday, Vans and Pro Tec are bringing style to the slopes of Sierra Resort! The Hi-Standard Double Big Air brings snowboarding “back to the basics” by limiting riders to spinning 540’s or less – this comp is strictly based on style and creativity. And with a $2,100 cash purse up for grabs – this is one event you don’t want to miss out on!!

Listen up ladies – We’ve got another round of Women’s Camp presented by GNU Snowboards comin up this Sunday! Sierra’s best female snowboard instructors will help you attain your goals in an all female environment. Hit the slopes or session the park and then hit Sierra’s Apres scene! You’ll also have a chance to win a brand new GNU snowboard!! Cruise on over to SierraatTahoe.com to register today!

With so many awesome events jam-packed into one weekend – lets face it, Sierra is the place to be!!

03/20/2012 | By Leslie
Staying Safe in the Powder

There sure is a lot of excitement that comes along with big snowfalls of over 6 feet; however, there is also a high level of danger involved – especially with this season’s unusual snowfall.The scary truth is that the odds of surviving a deep snow immersion accident are low, only 10%. Don’t worry, your trusty Sierra snow reporter is here to provide you with all the safety tips needed to have fun and stay safe on the mountain!

Understanding the Dangers of Deep Snow

As a snow sports enthusiast, it is vital to understand the dangers of deep snow and know how to prevent accidents such as NARSID (Non-Avalanche-Related Snow Immersion Death). About 65% of NARSID cases occur in tree wells, while the other 35% take place in deep snow. 

You might be asking yourself, what exactly is tree well?! Great question! A tree well is a depression that forms around the base of a tree. These wells are hidden from view by the tree’s low hanging branches and a light blanket of new snow. There is no easy way to identify if a particular tree has a dangerous tree well by sight, so prevention is the best tip I can give you.

The most important prevention step is to remain on groomed trails and resist the urge to ski or ride through the trees during deep powder conditions, no matter how tempting the untouched goods may appear.  Check out the daily mountain conditions report for up-to-date information on groomed and ungroomed terrain at Sierra. 

Skiing or riding in deep powder-filled tree areas is a choice, so if you go that route ALWAYS REMEMBER:

1. Buddy Up & Keep Them In Sight

It is critical to ski or ride with a partner who remains in visual contact at all times.  In many cases, some of the deaths which have occurred due to tree well incidents may have been avoided had:

  1. the person been with a partner
  2. the partner saw the person fall and
  3. the partner was close enough to assist digging the victim out in a timely manner.

It does NO GOOD for your safety if you are under the snow and your partner is waiting for you at the bottom of the lift. If you have any question about what a “timely manner” is to assist someone in a tree well, hold your breath now as you are reading this and the amount of time until you need air is approximately how much time your partner has to help get you out of danger. Other factors such as creating an air pocket or the nature of how you fall into the well may extend this critical timeframe.

VISUAL CONTACT means stopping and watching your partner descend at all times, then proceeding downhill while he or she watches you at all times. IF YOU LOSE VISUAL SIGHT OF YOUR PARTNER, YOU COULD LOSE YOUR FRIEND.

2. Ski or Ride Defensively

· Choose areas of widely spaced trees. You should be able to ski or ride between the trees so that if you lose control you do not fall into a tree well.

· As you ski or ride, avoid looking at trees, rather look at the areas in between them and your body will usually follow suit.

· If you are a skier, remove your pole straps before heading down a powder slope. Trapped skiers have difficulty removing the pole straps, which can hamper efforts to escape or clear an air space to breathe.

3. Carry Backcountry Gear

Carry the same personal rescue gear as backcountry skiers or snowboarders:

· Transceiver

·  Shovel

·  Probe

·  Whistle 

·  Fully Charged Cell Phone

MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY TIP – What to do if you go down??

· Avoid going down.If you are sliding toward a tree well or a deep snow bank, do everything you can to avoid going down: grab branches, hug the tree, or anything to stay above the surface.

· Resist the urge to struggle violently.The more you struggle, the more snow will fall into the well from the branches and area around the well and compact around you.

· Make a breathing space around your face,instead of panicking. Then move your body carefully in a rocking manner to hollow out the snow and give you space and air.

· Stay calm. Hopefully, your partner will have seen what happened and will come to your rescue within minutes. If not, experts advise staying calm while waiting for assistance. Survival chances are improved if you maintain your air space. Over time, heat generated by your body, combined with your rocking motions, will compact the snow, and you may be able to work your way out

Warning

Avalanches are an inherent risk of the sport due to the nature of snow and its application on steep, mountainous terrain. 

When skiing and snowboarding you get to decide what level of risk you want to accept. If you do choose to accept the risks of skiing and snowboarding in deep powder snow or in the trees, you can significantly reduce the risk of a tree well or deep snow accident. Awareness is the key to safety on the slopes so pass this on to all of your friends and family!

Stay safe out there and have fun!

Content by Mt. Baker Ski Area, Inc. 2006
Excerpts from article written by Robert Cadman, PhD

03/15/2012 | By Leslie
Keepin' It Real

Hooray for POW! If you’ve looked outside or tuned into any weather reports lately, then you know what’s up – more than a foot of snow has already dropped at Sierra and there is TONS more heading our way! We’re stoked to see the snow, but there are a lot of strange elements to this storm - including crazy strong winds, centralized precipitation, and high elevation snow levels. You can always rely on your trusty Sierra Snow Reporter to keep it real with you, so I’m bringing you all the honest details on the latest Miracle March storm!

So far this storm has brought in 19 inches of snow. When I came in on Wednesday morning, we had received 5 inches of new snow overnight. To prove that this total was indeed based on real snow, I had a photo shoot that resulted in what I think should be Gatorade’s next advertisement! The freshies we got that night could fill up about ¾ of a 20 oz. Gatorade and Mother Nature was giving out free refills all day long!

This storm came in on Tuesday roaring like a lion, with strong winds and heavy ridge-top gusts reaching 50+ miles per hour. As you all know, Sierra’s runs come directly down the fall line (meaning not much traversing) and the trees surround these trails. With the slopes North-facing, this lines up to allow for less chair exposure compared to other mountains, which means less wind hold. However, when winds start blowing above a certain threshold, we do stop running the chairs for safety reasons. There are many factors that determine chairs going on wind hold, and wind speed is the main factor, but visibility is also considered. Again, with our chairs going directly up fall lines and our trails surrounded by trees, we tend to also have greater visibility than other resorts. We also factor in how sustained the winds are and which direction they come from. If Sierra chairs go on wind hold (as they did this week), that means that the ride up is not safe for skiers/riders, and it is almost guaranteed that all other resorts are on wind hold with the majority of mountains even closed at times.

The winds do bring a certain awesome factor that may not be super obvious right away if you only focus on the downside. First, as the wind gusts around the ridge-tops, it creates stealth powders stashes for powder hounds to seek out. Also, when we’re forced to put chairs on wind hold that means TONS of untouched goods could be waiting for you the next day! For example, when Grandview opened up this morning there was 15” of snow calling my name at the top of Grandview and all the way down Castle!

Mother Nature doesn’t always agree with us, so we respect her wishes and adapt. That doesn’t mean we won’t enjoy it. Let’s face it – with your posse in tow and powder to shred, you’re gonna have a blast! I know these guys were definitely enjoying the snow in West Bowl yesterday!

Thanks to our location on thewestern slope of the Sierra Crest, we typically receive one of the highest natural snowfalls around the lake during storms! This is especially true for this storm system because most of the action coming this weekend is forecasted to drop west of the crest and along the crest while eastern locations will see smaller amounts of snow! Gear up and get pumped for plenty of powder days ahead of us at Sierra!

The most bizarre element to this storm system is the high elevation snow levels and the mixed precipitation. According to NOAA and the Tahoe Weather Discussion, snow levels will remain around 7000-7500 feet today and possible tomorrow. “Stoke level” was on high yesterday at Sierra as our base lodge is sitting right at 7300 feet, catching the brunt of the storm!

Unfortunately, temps got a little too high overnight creating variable mountain conditions with some higher elevation snow along with lower elevation rainfall. This has made for quite a stormy day at Sierra today.

We’re looking forward to tomorrow when a colder storm system should be rollin’ in. Snow elevation levels will drop down to 4000 feet and we could potentially see an estimated 3-5 FEET of fresh powdery deliciousness at Sierra as the storm continues on through Sunday!

 Keep working on your snow dances and I’ll see you on the mountain!

03/10/2012 | By Leslie
Snow Day Superstitions

Miracle March is upon us ladies and gents! Snow is in the forecast for the week ahead, and it will start falling tomorrow! There’s also a BIG STORM brewing next week, with the potential to drop FEET of fresh powdery deliciousness at Sierra! There are so many different rituals we use to inspire the snow gods to deliver all the goods! In case you aren’t hip to these superstitions, it is my duty as Sierra’s Snow Reporter to fill you in so we can have plenty of days like this!

1.       Wash Your Car

After a storm, cars can get pretty dirty around Lake Tahoe. Many people believe as soon as you wash your car, another big storm will roll in to dirty it right back up! I think it’s time for EVERYONE to cruise on over to the car wash and inspire the snow gods.

2.       Wear Your PJ’s Inside Out

Many people swear by this snow-day ritual. The idea is to confuse the snow gods by wearing your pj’s inside out and the result is a down-pour of big n’ fluffy snowflakes! At the very least, this ritual gives you a fun night in with the family!

3.       Break it Down With Your Best Snow Dance

Go outside and bust a move with a snow dance to motivate the snow gods! The more you dance, the more snow they will bring to Sierra and don’t forget to chant, “Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!”

4.       Set a TON of new rails on the Mountain

Our Terrain Park Crew has been working hard all week to premiere our Signature Park on Bashful and they continue to set-up more rails & boxes for you to enjoy. The more rails they place, the more snow the gods will drop – but we don’t mind, its job security for the crew and more fun for all of you!

5.       Put Your Rally Cap On

The easiest snow day ritual to take part in is to wear your beanie or hat inside out! This lets the snow gods know that you are ready to rally, so bring on the snow!!

Even if you don’t believe in superstitions, get out there are do all of these rituals just in case! Start praying this storm brings us FEET of fresh snow to play in and gear up for all the super fun POW DAYS ahead of us!

Team Rider Scottie Hoffman Enjoying a Pow Day at Sierra. Photo Credit Kyle McCoy

I’d love to hear all of your snow day rituals so make sure you share them with us on Facebook!

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

03/03/2012 | By Leslie
The Musical Stylings of The Rice Brothers

Every season, Sierra’s own General Manager, John Rice, takes center stage alongside his brothers to entertain all of our guests in the Sierra Pub. They rock out with old school songs from Johnny Cash, CCR, The Youngbloods, Jimmy Reed, and much more! This is the best après party there is….period!

Have you ever seen a GM of a ski resort playing the guitar and singing with his brothers in the pub?! I’m pretty sure this only happens at Sierra-at-Tahoe and it’s a HUGE part of what makes this place so special!! I have to admit, it’s pretty awesome to have a boss that is not only super down-to-earth, but also very talented! In case you’re wondering, I’m not just saying that because he’s my boss...seriously, how many GM's do you know that can play the guitar and the harmonica this well?!! Mad props!

The music gene runs deep in the Rice family, and this season John Rice’s daughter, Delaney, will be joining in to add a certain feminine touch on the music set. There will be performances today and tomorrow from 2:00-6:00 pm and you are not gonna want to miss out on this! See you in the Sierra Pub!

03/02/2012 | By Leslie
Chair Lift Confessions

My favorite part of being the chief snow reporter here at Sierra is taking my ride breaks each day right around the time the first chair spins. Obviously this is a sweet perk because I get first tracks every day, but what I also love about it is meeting new and interesting people while riding up the chair lift. I know why I love Sierra, but I wanted to get the inside scoop straight from our loyal guests to see what they love about the resort.

To break the ice, I started off by asking where they were from. I wasn’t surprised to find that two people were from South Lake Tahoe, two were from Folsom, and one dedicated rider drove up from San Francisco.

To make each conversation interesting, I asked each person if they could be ANY animal what would they be and why. These answers really told me a lot about each of them and showed me why they ride at Sierra.

When a South Lake Tahoe local told me he would want to be a cow, I couldn't help but laugh at this bizarre response. He explained that he chose a cow because they have “such a chill life” and that his idea of a fun day at Sierra includes taking some turns through west bowl and hanging with his friends.Sounds to me like he’s already got that “chill life” down to a science.

My favorite animal choice came from another Tahoe local who wants to be a leopard so he can be camouflaged and nobody could ever catch him. This leopard wanna-be really enjoys seeking out stealth powder stashes under the Grandview chair line while staying under the radar and far ahead of his friends.

The dedicated rider from San Francisco said he’d love to be a mountain lion so that he could always be the “king” of the mountain. His favorite run at Sierra is Castle, which leads me to believe that riding at Sierra helps him to feel that he is a part of the “royal family.” When I catch a glimpse of this view, I feel like royalty too!

I was pretty stoked when I asked each of them to describe the vibe at Sierra in two words because all of their responses were exactly the way I feel about the mountain as well.  In the words of these guests, Sierra is a super chill, laid-back, home-grown resort that is always the local’s choice.

These chair lift confessions give you a glimpse into the awesomeness that is Sierra-at-Tahoe! With 40+ inches of fresh snow and the best conditions of the season, now is the time to come up and experience our chill, laid-back vibe!

02/28/2012 | By Leslie
10 Things I LOVE About Fresh POW!

There are countless reasons to love fresh pow! Beyond the obvious AWESOME factor, I'm going to share my top ten reasons with my fellow powder hounds!

1.       Snow Days

Growing up in Lake Tahoe, more specifically Christmas Valley, there was nothing I looked forward to more than waking up to see FEET of fresh pow outside! Pair that with an announcement that all schools will be closed, and you’ve got a town full of STOKED kids playin in the snow!

2.       Champagne Face Shots

Let’s face it, nothing makes you smile like getting a splashed in the face with a ton of champagne powder! If that’s going down all day, take some time to thank the snow gods because you’ve hit the fresh pow jackpot!

3.       Freedom

On powder days, those who aren’t ready in time for first chair will be left behind.  As much fun as it is to share your day on the slopes with family and friends, most times the freedom of choosing your own path through the fresh pow is the only way to go!

4.       Ear-to-Ear Grins

Powder days are always a blast, from 1st chair all the way through to last call in the Pub. At the end of a long powder day, my cheeks are always super sore from the ridiculous smile that’s been plastered on my face ALL DAY – if that doesn’t happen to you, you’re doing something wrong!

5.       Feeling Weightless

Carving down a mountain covered with tons of light n’ fluffy, powdery goodness gives you the feeling of being weightless, just like you’re floating on a cloud. As far as I’m concerned, this is exactly what heaven is like.

6.       Powder Pockets

Something about the way the snow piles up on the tree-tops, makes days like this feel like a dream. The powder pockets that form around the mountain are just like bits of hidden treasure for fellow powder hounds to seek out!

7.       Sledding

When you’re looking to have a fun day in the snow with your little ones, sledding is absolutely the way to go! With fresh pow all around, it’s impossible not to have a blast!

8.       So Fresh & So Clean!

I have always loved how clean everything looks right after a snow storm in Lake Tahoe. The trees sparkle as powder pockets build up on them, the ground glistens with tons of pretty white snow covering it, and even the cars shine a little brighter as they haul around some of that fresh powdery goodness!

9.       Snowball Fights

I don’t know a single person that doesn’t LOVE a good snowball fight! Personally, I enjoy the element of surprise when initiating snowball fights, but you have to be prepared for the backlash!  If you‘re serious about a snowball fight then I highly recommend that you build a couple forts for protection, prepare a big pile of snowballs, and get ready for some FUN!

10.   Pow Beards

Last, but definitely not least, the true sign a of a man having a great day in some fresh pow…..the Pow Beard! Take your trusty snow reporter’s word for it - the ladies love a good pow beard – especially when you’re sporting it with an ear-to-ear grin!

Join me this week as I continue to count the ways that I love fresh pow! NOAA and the Sierra Weather Discussion are projecting this storm system to bring in another two to three FEET of fresh powdery goodness by tomorrow afternoon!!!

02/16/2012 | By Leslie
First Tracks Lead to Gold

It’s no surprise to me that snowboarding has become one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S. The rapid progression of this sport and the many youngsters pushing it to new heights inspired me to look into how young these icons were when they entered the world of snowboarding.

Sierra’s professional snowboarder, Hannah Teter, found her love for snowboarding after strapping in at age 8. Teter, now 25 years old, has already earned an impressive medal collection including her Olympic gold (2006) and silver (2010), in addition to her X Games medals, one gold, one silver, and a pair of bronzes and counting!

 

One of Sierra’s top skiiers, Maddie Bowman, first put on a pair of skis at the age of 4 and quickly climbed to the top of countless podiums. At the young age of 17, Bowman has already earned first at Dew Tour, scored a Winter X Games silver medal in Women’s Ski Superpipe, and she continues to pursue her 2012 dominating campaign!

 

Three time X Games gold medalist, Jamie Anderson, started snowboarding at the age of 9 as a part of the Sierra-at-Tahoe Team. She quickly made a big mark in the snowboarding world as she became the youngest X Games gold medalist at the age of 15. After dominating yet again at the 2012 Roxy Snow Pro, Anderson jumped up into the World No. 1 position in the TTR Slopestyle Tour Rankings and is now tied with Kelly Clark for the 8th TTR Overall Tour Rankings!

All of these riders have one important thing in common – they started the sport young giving each of them years of experience as a competitive edge. On average, it only took these athletes 6-10 years to go from first tracks to top of the podium.

Up to this point the industry has taught kids as young as 5 or 6 to ride. However, Sierra is changing the game with its commitment to learning, by teaching 3-6 year olds the fun and art of snowboarding in Yoda’s Riglet Park! Younglings and Padawans will learn using the ways of the Force through interactive drop-in nodes showcasing custom-made wood carvings of R2-D2, C-3P0, Chewbacca and more!

With kids now able to start out as young as 3 years old, many of them could reach podium status before they hit double digits or even become teenagers. There’s no telling where this sport can go, but one thing is clear – the force is strong at Sierra as more younglings and padawans enter the mountain each day!

02/14/2012 | By Leslie
Happy Valentine's Day!!

Happy Valentine’s Day fellow powder hounds!

As the snow reporter for Sierra-at-Tahoe, I’m happy to let you all know that I’ve got a very dreamy date to meet up with this morning. My date makes me the happiest girl in the world, just like I’m floating on a cloud! So who is this mystery date, you ask???

Well, you may have heard of him…..First name -  FRESH, last name -  POWDER!!!

10" of fresh pow under Grandview Express Chair Lift on 2/13/12

You're welcome to join me on my date with Mr. Pow!! Catch first tracks before the crowds show up by jumpin on Easy Rider & West Bowl at 8:30am for the early load - pass holders ONLY!

Hope everyone enjoys the 14" of new snow on this beautiful bluebird day!

02/09/2012 | By Leslie
The Sweet Life of A Snow Reporter

As the chief snow reporter for Sierra-at-Tahoe, my lifestyle is quite different than most. My work day begins not-so-bright and VERY EARLY at 5am. People are constantly asking me, “How can you get up so early and still sound so excited to be at work every day?” Well, before joining the Sierra Family, I never considered myself to be a morning person at all; those of you who know me well can vouch for me!! However, the many perks of this job make each day totally exciting and worth waking up for!

Upon arriving at the Resort, I found myself mesmerized by the beauty of this area as the clouds hung low around the mountain tops and the full moon peeked out from behind the snow covered trees. Lucky for all of you, I took a break from piecing together the giant puzzle known as the snow report to go snap a photo so I could share this magical moment.

After a few hours of reporting the excellent surface conditions, miles of fresh corduroy, and the debut of a brand new terrain park on Upper Main, I couldn’t wait to go check it all out for myself! This brings me to the number one perk of working at Sierra Resort, first chair is only a few steps away!

When you start your day off in the dark, you can imagine how exciting it is to catch that first glimpse of the sun at the top of Grandview Express – it was just the inspiration I needed to write this blog!

As a South Lake Tahoe Local, I've become quite jaded when it comes to good snow conditions. Thanks to the North-facing slopes of the mountain, the hard work of our grooming crew, and the 77 inches of snow we've received so far this season - surface conditions have remained excellent! Coming from a spoiled local - that says a lot! Carving down fresh corduroy like this every day makes it pretty hard not to completely love working at this resort!

Even though I have to start my day far before the crack-of-dawn, I get to spend my time in a beautiful paradise known as Sierra-at-Tahoe….well that truly is “livin’ the dream!” Hope all of you make your way up here at some point this season to join me in this sweet life in the snow!

01/31/2012 | By Leslie
Three Talented Ladies, Three X Games Medals!!!

In order to get the inside scoop for all of you, I spent my weekend riding and watching the Winter X Games here at Sierra Resort! I know, it’s a tough job…but someone’s gotta do it!

There was a great vibe around the resort this past weekend while everyone was rooting for the Sierra Resort professional athletes as they competed in the 2012 Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado. The ladies definitely represented for their home mountain and all three scored a spot on the podium!

Jamie Anderson continued to push the limits of Women’s snowboarding this season, as she took home gold in Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle, making her a three time X Games gold medalist! (2007,2008, 2012) Check out the link below for the flawless run that earned her a 95.33 - the highest score in Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle history! Killing it!!!!

Maddie Bowman has also been killing it this season, already earning first place at Dew Tour and second at the North Face Park and Pipe in 2012. In only her second X Games appearance, Bowman took home silver in Women’s Ski Superpipe! This girl has tons to be smiling about as she continues her dominating 2012 competition campaign!

Finally, X Games veteran Hannah Teter stood on the podium with a bronze in Women’s Snowboard Superpipe. Teter adds to her already impressive list of snowboard accomplishments, including Olympic gold medal and bronze medals.

From all of us here at Sierra Resort, CONGRATS LADIES!!! Way to represent for your home mountain!!!

The memory of Sarah Burke will live on in the way you all continue to push the limits of women’s skiing and snowboarding!!

01/25/2012 | By Leslie
A Snowboarders’/Skiers' Paradise

Everyone was super stoked when West Bowl Chair Lift started spinning yesterday morning, even the Sierra employees couldn’t contain their excitement!

West Bowl has been my favorite place in the world since I started riding at Sierra over 13 years ago, so I’m sure you can imagine how excited I was yesterday when I got the call that it was finally opening!! Just like all my fellow winter worshippers, I literally could not wait to go carve up the 3-4 feet of untouched snow!!

While taking my first turn down Beaver, I became so giddy like a little kid that I had to stop for a moment to truly take it all in! As the snow-covered tree tops sparkled in the sunshine and I caught a glimpse of the clouds hanging low on Mt Pyramid – I was reminded that this truly is a snowboarders’/skiers' paradise!

If you haven’t already, I highly recommend that you blaze your own trail through this paradise I know and love as soon as you get the chance! Just remember, when venturing into the trees, obstacles do exist! If this season is your first opportunity to carve through West Bowl…..watch out, you just might fall in love!

01/14/2012 | By Steve
Winter on the Way? We think so!

There seems to be light at the end of the tunnel. Tahoe Weather Discussion is calling for a shift in weather patterns around January 16. A BIG shift! Will winter finally come out of hiatus and grace us with its presence? Only time will tell. 

Either way here at Sierra we want to recognize those doing everything they can to keep the mountain open. If you think we've been sitting back and waiting for it to snow you are incorrect. 

 

Our snowmakers literally have been working around the clock and when weather permits blowing snow. We do not have millions of dollars in snowmaking equipment or the latest and greatest but we are making magic with the guns that we do have. Also, we'd like to tip our hats to those on the park staff. Each day guests have the option of more than a dozen jibs and rails along with a jump!  

 

While we've been optimistic throughout the winter it is fair to say that we are ecstatic about the storm that is on it's way. Our lifts are ready to spin and when we get that large dump we'll be ready to go. Our lifts are wind-protected so on those stormy days when the pow is fresh, you can ride Sierra, our parking is right in front of the mountain so you are on the lift quickly, and our burgers are $10.95 AND that comes with the fries and soda! 

 

Winter Dreaming! Rider: Jordan Nield Photo: Terren Gomez

 

See you on the Mountain! 

12/31/2011 | By Steve
Happy New Year!

Wow. What a year! On this exact date a year ago there was over 300 inches of snow on the ground and it would continue to fall throughout the spring. When all was said and done we’d enjoyed 40+ powder days (6” or more constitutes as a powder day for those of you who are wondering where we get that number) and 763” of snow throughout the winter.

Fast-forward to today and it is a far different story. We are rocking an 18” base and working around the clock to open as much terrain for our guests as possible.  What a difference a year makes huh?

After a few hot laps today it dawned on me. Although the waist deep powder days are magical and 63 feet of snow is nice that’s not what it is about and nothing exemplifies this like the season thus far.

18” may not be a whole lot but I’ll tell you what it’s enough to put a smile on your face and realize just how lucky we are.  After all, isn’t skiing or riding about having a good time, enjoying the crisp mountain air, taking in the amazing Sierra mountains, laughing with your friends and having a “soda” or two? I sure think so. If you don’t believe me come try it out for yourself.

Cheers to the year that was and another amazing one that is to come. See you on the mountain. 

 

Team rider Robby Franco ringing in the new year in style.

12/22/2011 | By Steve
Celebrate the Holidays at Sierra

Come celebrate the holidays with Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort. Sierra has teamed up with Timmy, Santa's official 2011 spokesperson, and are stoked to announce the first ever Broadway Holiday Bash! The Holiday Bash will include a DJ, ornament decorating, karaoke, tacky sweaters and more.

Hope to see you here. Happy Holidays

12/16/2011 | By Steve
Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort Introduces The Burton Star Wars Experience

The force is strong at Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort this winter. Partnering with Burton Snowboards and Lucasfilm, Sierra Resort will open the first ever Burton Star Wars Experience. An experience that utilizes iconic Star Wars themes and cutting edge snowboard technology to teach children age’s three to six how to snowboard.

“Sierra Resort, Star Wars, and Burton are filling a void for youth in snow sports and at the same time building on our legendary Learn To Ride program. There is nothing like it in the world,” says John Rice, General Manager at Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort.

A program for three to six year old snowboarders the Burton Star Wars Experience will utilize the latest technology from Burton called the Riglet Reel. The Riglet Reel is a specially designed reel that attaches to the nose of youth snowboards and allows coaches to tow kids around allowing them to quickly learn how to balance, move, and control their boards. 

As if the new technology wasn’t enough Sierra and Burton teamed up with Star Wars to make the kids snowboarding experience something truly out of this world. Starting inside at the Padawan Center kids - or younglings - can practice balance training, refuel with hot chocolate and prepare for a galactic experience. After their first Jedi training session kids will head outside to Yoda’s Riglet Park. Inside Yoda’s Riglet Park the galaxy really comes to life with three themed interactive drop-in nodes, each teaching kids the fundamentals of snowboarding. Each node will also have custom-made chainsaw carvings of Star Wars favorites Yoda, R2-D2, C-3PO, Chewbacca, Jar Jar Binks, Anakin Skywalker, Ewoks and others.

Not three to six years old? Don’t worry we’ve put a little piece of Star Wars in one of our award winning Adventure Zones. The infamous Bear Cave has been taken over by the Wampa from the Ice Planet Hoth and can be enjoyed by all.

In addition, Sierra Resort and Burton worked together to build the majority of Yoda’s Riglet Park using recycled materials. World-renowned wood carver Bob King shaped each Star Wars character from reclaimed wood while recycled hazard trees milled into boards were used to build each of the learning nodes. Even the foundation support beams were made from recycled scrap metal and old lift tower tubes.

The experience is truly out of this world. Come check it out and may the force be with you. 

12/14/2011 | By Steve
Ready to Ride! Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort Opens for 2011-12 Season

Get ready to ski/ride this weekend! Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort is opening for the 2011-12 season this Saturday, December 17, 2011 with limited terrain. The Easy Rider Express will start turning at 9 a.m. giving guests access to half of Broadway. Broadway is a green run and will have a jib and rail park to the skiers right of Easy Rider Express chairlift with small to medium features. Adults and young adults can ski or ride this weekend for only $30 while kids can ski or ride for $10.

Continue those snow dances and keep your eyes on the impending storms and winter weather that is on it's way with Tahoe Weather Discussion. See you on the mountain!

11/23/2011 | By Leslie
Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from your Sierra Family! We hope you all enjoy a day filled with family, friends, football, and of course - tons of Turkey and Stuffing! Maybe you prefer toast and popcorn like Charlie Brown & friends!

No matter what delicious dishes you cook up for your Thanksgiving Dinner – eat a ton of it and make sure to work it off with a snow dance after!!

11/14/2011 | By Leslie
La Niña, Where Are You?!

On behalf of the Sierra-at-Tahoe family, I want to thank everyone who made it out to this year’s Pray for Snow bash hosted at Opal Nightclub! Even with the amazing turnout, Mother Nature is still taking her sweet time to deliver the snowfall we danced all night for!

Once the party heated up, our Blizzard Mountain Mascot, Ralston led the crowd through the “La Niña” contest including Sierra Resort Trivia, La Dolce & Chicle, and Snow or No Snow! We gave away some cool prizes including a season pass, a brand new ROME Snowboard, new snow gear, and tons of local gift certificates!

Ralston was busy all night making sure everyone had a great time at the party by snapping photos with the kids and handing out sweet prizes!

My favorite part of the contest was the “Dolce & Chicle” contest – it was hilarious to see everyone’s face covered in whipped cream as they struggled to blow a bubble with the gum they had to find! Everyone loves watching people get a little messy!

Another awesome Pray for Snow Party in the books, but it doesn’t seem to be enough! Keep doing your snow calls and dances so Mother Nature will bring the lovely lady "La Niña" back soon!!

11/09/2011 | By Leslie
Praying For Snow at Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort

My first week as the new Snow Reporter at Sierra Resort was filled with more fun than I expected! I will be spending my winter on the mountain and in a small office filled with a LOT of personality and laughter!

This week, a few of my coworkers (Steve Hemphill & Eric Rhodes) discovered their hidden hula hooping talent, and now they just won't quit! Steve is on a mission to beat the world record for hula hooping....will this "snow dance" inspire Mother Nature to deliver another 763 inches of snow fall just like last season? I sure hope so!!!

I'm gonna leave the hula hooping snow dances to the experts, but I will be doing my own snow dance this Thursday November 10th at our annual Pray For Snow Party at Opal Nightclub inside Montbleu Casino. Hope to see you all there, be prepared to show off your best moves!

For more information on the BEST pre-season party on the South Shore, click HERE!!!

10/31/2011 | By Steve
Happy Halloween

In honor of Halloween we've posted a photo and a few videos for you to enjoy. Happy Halloween. 

Sierra employees "working hard" this Halloween! 

Insane Halloween Light Show.

Classic Halloween Tune

The Exorcist Remix

Trick or Treat! 

10/25/2011 | By Steve
Feeders to Downtown Throwdown

What do you get when you put scaffolding, rails, snow, 90 degree weather, 30 plus amature shredders, and a mall parking lot together... an AWESOME time.  This past Saturday the Arden Fair Mall in Sacramento played host to The Feeders Rail Jam. It was an awesome event and the riders were going mental. If you missed it make sure you DO NOT miss this weekends Downtown Throwdown in San Fran at the Fulton Street and Larkin Civic Center. Top pros will be throwing down, we'll be partying, have a table set up, and having a grand ol time. The winner of this weekends Feeders will also be competing... See you in the city.  

Feeders

For more info on the Downtown Throwdown click HERE!!! 

10/18/2011 | By Steve
Keep Sierra Clean Day Recap

You know what is radical? When more than 175 members of the community come up to Sierra Resort to help clean up the mountain on Keep Sierra Clean Day. That is extremly radical. 

This past Sunday, October 16, 2011, over 1,750 pounds of trash was brought in off the slopes, including 2 snowboards, a few skis, an iPhone (that still worked), a digital camera and even a lift ticket from back when Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort was Sierra Ski Ranch. Plastic bottles, cans, trail fencing and signs were also collected while cleaning up the mountain. “We’re lucky to have such a loyal guests who care deeply enough about the environment to come up here on a weekend and help us clean it up, “ said big dog and SIerra Resort General Manager John Rice. 

Click HERE to see an entire photo gallery of the event on Facebook (also give us a "Like" on our page if you haven't yet). A huge shout-out goes out to everyone who made the day such a huge success and Rob Armenti for providing jams all afternoon.

10/07/2011 | By Steve
Postponed

Due to Mother Nature’s early gift of snow, we will be postponing Keep Sierra Clean Day until Sunday, October 16th.  Next week’s skies are forecasted to be clear which will allow us to get out on the mountain and clean her up to help prep for the coming La Niña winter! Pull out your sturdy hiking boots, grab your friends and family, and get your old gear ready for the ski swap!

Keep Sierra Clean Day

10/06/2011 | By Steve
Deja Vu?

La Nina is back and she is not messing around. She already dropped 16" of snow at the summit and it is still coming down! Will we top last year's record of 763" and 40 powder days? Only time will tell! If this week's storms are a reflection of the winter to come, be sure to have your season pass in hand for when the lifts start spinning. Stay stoked!  

10/03/2011 | By Steve
Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort Receives Recognition as One of Nation's Top Resorts

We don't like to brag or anything but we can't begin to tell you how stoked we are to be recognized by TransWorld SNOWboarding in their 2012 Resort Poll. We like to think we have a pretty good mountain, great parks, amazing value, awesome snow, and an unbeliveable vibe, TransWorld seems to think the same. Year after year we strive to be one of the best and it's an honor to be recognized by an awesome publication like TransWorld. 

Resort Poll Coverage

The Resort Poll ranks mountains based on mountain features such as parks and pipe, terrain, and other areas such as vibe, snowfall, lodging, food, and etcetera.

“Every year we ask our readers to rank the best three resorts they rode at in the last year, judging everything from jumps to grooming to rail variety. TransWorld readers have voted Sierra-at-Tahoe into the Resort Poll Top 10 year after year. Our readers love the parks and powder, and the resort consistently ranks in Top 10 Vibe. You know the vibe is good just by the popularity of the Sierra-at-Tahoe hoodies—their riders are loyal.” said TransWorld Editor-in-Chief Annie Fast.

The rankings speak to the commitment by Sierra to creating and maintaining innovative freestyle terrain that appeals to an ever-growing demographic of skiers and snowboarders.   

Designed, built, and maintained throughout the season by Snow Park Technology (SPT) trained operators, who are the lead innovators in the industry, the freestyle terrain at Sierra offers an experience that caters to the young and old, first-time jibbers and seasoned park riders, families and college students alike.

Sierra Resort was recognized among the Top 10 Best Parks in the nation, earned by scoring high in specific categories like jump and rail design, grooming, variety of features, overall vibe, and park challenge. Sierra also landed in the top ten for the following categories: 

TransWorld SNOWboardingTransWorld SNOWboarding

The cumulative rankings for Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort are:

  • #7 Overall Resort
  • # 10 Best Park
  • #9 Best Pipe
  • #2 Best Value
  • #6 Best Vibe
  • #9 Best Snow

Sierra Resort General Manager, John Rice commented “Sierra is honored that TransWorld’s readers would consider us one of the top resorts in the country. Our commitment to quality parks starts with our staff and, in return, benefits our world-class athletes and faithful riders who call Sierra home. To be recognized as one of the best makes it all worthwhile.”

Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort is proud to be among TransWorld SNOWboarding’s top resorts year after year, after year. 

So where do we go from here? Up! We are stoked to build on our success and continue to commit ourselves to building the best mountain and parks in the Nation. Make sure to pick up a copy of the mag or visit transworld.snowboarding.net for all things snowboarding.  

09/20/2011 | By Steve
Sierra-at-Tahoe 2011-12 "Improvements"

BREAKING NEWS: Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort makes 4 bazillion dollars worth of improvements to its mountain, base area, and terrain parks. Check it out.


 

09/07/2011 | By Steve
Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort Saves a Marmot

Ever wonder what happens at Sierra Resort in the summer? Well besides preparing for the upcoming season... some Sierra employees are busy rescuing wild animals, delivering them to Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, and helping them get back to their original homes.

08/29/2011 | By Steve
What's New in 2011-12

I'm sure you already know this but I'm pretty sure Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort is the coolest place on earth. As if it wasn't good enough already, adding to the world-class experience this season, Sierra™Resort will introduce Huckleberry Cat Tours, The Burton Riglet Park, new additions to Blizzard Mountain, and more value which keeps Sierra Resort the most affordable mountain in Lake Tahoe. An average yearly snowfall of 480 inches, wind-protected slopes, incredible tree skiing, extreme backcountry terrain, laid-back vibe, and family-friendly atmosphere make Sierra Resort the resort to visit in Lake Tahoe. Check out the list of new awesome things at Sierra below...

Huckleberry Cat Tours: Access Raw Backcountry Terrain with Less Hassle

Sierra Resort’s new backcountry cat tours take expert skiers and riders straight to the edge of Huckleberry Canyon, allowing backcountry enthusiasts to save energy, and 30-40 minutes, for those deep powder turns, by-passing the one and a half mile hike out to the gates.

Huckleberry Canyon offers cliff drops, cornice drops, rock chutes, open bowls, gladed runs and powder pillows to those ready to unlock the extreme.

The tours are appropriate for expert skiers and snowboarders seeking a thrilling backcountry experience and will run on select days throughout the season (weather and conditions permitting) from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Along with cat rides, each tour will include a Professional Ski Instructor of America certified Ski and Snowboard instructor that will guide and educate riders on backcountry safety, teach them how to properly use avalanche equipment (shovel, probe, avalanche beacon, and backpack will be provided), and a lunch for $79.The Sierra snowcat can hold up to seven people or can be rented out for private tours by groups of five or more. A valid season pass or lift ticket is also required.

Burton Riglet Park

In partnership with industry leader Burton Snowboards Sierra Resort’s new Burton Riglet Park is a mini snowboard park designed to introduce kids as young as three years old to the sport of snowboarding. Sierra Resort is proud to be the only resort on the west coast with a Burton Riglet Park and program that gives young children the opportunity to experience snowboarding.

Adding to the revolutionary Learn to Ride program, introduced at Sierra Resort in 2000, and the Burton Progression Park, Sierra will utilize Burton's Riglet Reel technology. A specially designed attachment is secured to the nose of youth snowboards and allows instructors to tow kids onto features and around obstacles, introducing them to the sensation of sliding on snow and snowboarding.

Endless Family Fun: Blizzard Mountain

Take the all-new Blizzard Mountain Snowcat from the base of the mountain straight to the Blizzard Mountain entrance. Revamped and relocated in 2010-11, the snow play and tubing area features two rope tow accessible tubing lanes, an expanded snow play area, a bounce house, snack bar, fire pits, picnic tables and sledding.

Blizzard Mountain has amenities for people of all ages and sizes to enjoy, including young children just starting to explore the outdoors in wintertime. It is the perfect place for little (and big) ones to explore the winter outdoors at their own pace while offering fun for the entire family at the same time.

The Place to Learn: New Ski School Director

Gentle beginner terrain easily accessible from the base area, world class instructors, and a new Ski School Director, Robert “Booie” Alward, make Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort the place to learn to ski or snowboard in Lake Tahoe. Alward comes to Sierra Resort from Loon Mountain where he acted as the Snowsports Director and before that was the Ski School Director at Vail Mountain.

Sierra Resort is home to Easy Street offering 11 acres of sculpted Smart Terrain™ that helps improve the learning curve for beginners. The gently banked turns and shaped features naturally guide skiers and snowboarders into turns and stops so that they are able to learn the fundamentals of skiing and riding more quickly. Two dedicated conveyor lifts make it a breeze to get up the hill, so beginners can focus on coming back down.

With a top-notch staff and laid-back atmosphere Sierra Resort is the perfect place to learn.

Ski or Ride for only $51 a day with the 3-Pak

Ski or Ride for just $51/day with a 3-Pak!Take advantage of Lake Tahoe’s best beginner terrain and incredible tree-skiing along with award-winning terrain parks and South Shore’s Only Superpipe for just $51/day when you purchase a 3-Pak of lift tickets before December 16, 2011. Three-Pak tickets are valid any day of the 2011-12 winter season with absolutely no blackout dates and do not need to be used consecutively. It’s the ultimate value. After December 16, it is still a great value at only $54/day, which results in a savings of approximately $20 a day.

 

Don't miss out on any of this season's action and make sure to pick up your 2011-12 season pass today and pray for snow! 

-Steve

04/24/2011 | By Admin
2010-11 A SEASON IN REVIEW

Sierra has picked up an incredible amount of snowfall this season, a womping 749 inches! More snow than we've had in 20 plus seasons, and that's more than 150% of our season average. Thanks to the early and constant snowfall we were able to open with 100 inches of powder, cut our 18ft Superpipe early, create 6 dialed terrain parks with bigger and better features and work and play harder than ever with 38 powder days. This 2010-2011 season has allowed us to shred A LOT, which is why we live, visit, and play here. It's why we LOVE Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort!

This season has been an adventure to say the least. More shoveling and pow turns than I've ever had in my life! As the season is culminating the days of champagne powder and hot toddies have waned morphing into spring snow and beers in West Bowl, even the intensity and passion in the faces of powder hounds have softened into playful content smiles. I look back at the season and I am very thankful. We started the season giving thanks to Mother Nature, and it seems appropriate to wrap it up by doing the same. Drum roll please.....

1. 38 POW DAYS, La Niña, and SNOW!   

 

 

2. Athletes

From our PRO athletes, AM team riders, to the tremendously talented shredders in the park, we appreciated your talent and loyalty. Congratulations to Jamie Anderson dominating the global slopestyle circuit and team riders like Scott Hoffman, Julianne Brackett, Maddia Bowman for giving your all in the competition scene.

 

 

3. Parks, Events, and Parties!

 

A big shout out goes to the Park Crew for keeping all six parks and Superpipe primped and primed with 749 inches of snowfall. WOW that alone was an accomplishment, but they weren't done there. The Park Crew used creativity and ingenuity to host a slew of events this year. From the challenge of the Snowboarder Mag One Hit Wonder, to the polished professionalism of the Billabong Flaunt-It...They nailed it.

High fives to all those who helped make amazing events and parties like the Telegrass Festival and Salsa Showdown happen like clockwork. To all those who came out and joined in, without you we wouldn’t have all the  
great memories.

 

 

3. The PEOPLE!

You know who you are. From the employees that showed up to work on all 38 pow days, the weekend warriors, the locals, and all  the Sierra Loyalist...THANK YOU for making this season an epic one, we couldn't have done it without you!  

Sayonara 10/11, its been real. See you next year!

03/31/2011 | By Admin
STEEPS, DEEPS, TREES, PARKS,PIPE AND A GREAT PLACE TO LEARN, GET YOUR 2011-12 SEASON PASS NOW!

 

Looking for cheap ski tickets? Well you can't get any more value than this.

Get your Sierra Resort 2011-12 Season Pass now and ride for the rest of this season too. When you buy you're pass you'll be here for great spring skiing and events galore! Don't miss our early season pass prices, they go up after May 31st.

 

 

Sierra Unlimited Pass

Adult (23-69) $349

Young Adult (13-22) $249

College (unlimited - proof of 6 credits) $249

Super Senior (70+) $89

Child (5-12) $89

Child (4 & under) FREE

Sierra Value Pass
Valid Sunday - Friday, excluding blackout dates.

Adult $199

Fast Pass Season Pass
Priority lift lines- must have valid ticket or season pass.

$99

GET YOURS NOW!

02/25/2011 | By Admin
JAMIE ANDERSON VISUALS EPISODE 2